Labor’s six-year school enrolment plan

Students would enrol once in year seven until the end of year 12 across high schools and colleges under state Labor policy.

Michelle O'Byrne. Picture: Sean Ford.

High schools and colleges would be expected to work closely together to benefit students under the policy.

“Labor’s policy will ensure that regardless of which local school a student is attending, they will have the opportunity to study the full range of subjects at their multi-campus school,” Shadow Education Minister Michelle O’Byrne said.

“There are … many examples across the country including in non-government schools in Tasmania where properly resourced, networked, multi-campus schools are successful.”

A Labor spokesman said Labor would not reverse the Liberal government’s roll-out of years 11 and 12 into any state high schools.

Ms O’Byrne said: “Labor began the extension of regional high schools to years 11 and 12 and we will not be winding this policy back.”

“However, our policy will ensure that students who choose to study at extension schools are not disadvantaged, either in course choice or their ability to transition to higher learning.”

She said Labor would “work with school communities to empower principals, parent groups and students to set themselves up for success until year 12 and beyond, wherever they study”.

Ms O’Byrne said Labor’s policy adopted innovative “learnings” from the teganna Collective, led by Rosny College, on Hobart’s Eastern Shore.

In April, Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff said: “The teganna Collective is a fantastic example of school communities working together to deliver years 11 and 12.”

“Bayview Secondary College, Clarence High School, Campania District High School, Rose Bay High School, Sorell School, Triabunna District High School and Rosny College are giving students the best opportunity to complete year 12 and reach their educational goals by offering a mix of vocational and core academic courses.”

Prominent economist Saul Eslake supports the roll-out of years 11 and 12 into high schools, but recently urged government to confront the issue of the senior secondary college system, which he painted as an expensive failure and a barrier to full participation in education.